Windows 8 is now avaialable to MDSN and TechNet subscribers. We are in the process of moving all the threads in the Windows 8 forums to a new "Pre-release" forum. This process is expected to happen today (8/15/2012) around 3pm Pacific time, so please bear with us as these are moved.

Windows 7 Installation, Setup, and Deployment announcements

October 31, 2014, is the end of license (EOL) date for Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7Home Premium, and Windows 7 Home Basic. After this date, system builders willno longer be able to order these products from authorized distributors. Windows7 Professional will continue to be available from authorized distributors untilits EOL date is announced.

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit makes it easy to assess your current IT infrastructure for a variety of technology migration projects. This Solution Accelerator provides a powerful inventory, assessment, and reporting tool to simplify the migration planning process.

Windows 7 Application Compatibility announcements

Are you making plans to deploy Windows 7 in your enterprise in the next 6 – 18 months? Are your plans being delayed or complicated by applications that will not work on Windows 7? Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) can be used to address the “compatibility gaps” of your enterprise and accelerate the move to Windows 7.

Windows Virtual PC and XP Mode announcements

Are you making plans to deploy Windows 7 in your enterprise in the next 6 – 18 months? Are your plans being delayed or complicated by applications that will not work on Windows 7? Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) can be used to address the “compatibility gaps” of your enterprise and accelerate the move to Windows 7.

Today we are proud to announce the Release to Manufacturing of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Service Pack 2 (SP2) represents the latest step in Microsoft’s commitment to continuous improvement. It includes all of the updates that have been delivered since SP1, as well as support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards. And since it comes with a single installer for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, SP2 will be easy for IT Pros to manage, deploy, and support. For an overview of the changes introduced in SP2, check out the notable changes document.

Business customers with Windows Vista will find that the transition to Windows 7 will be significantly more straightforward due to the high degree of compatibility between Windows Vista and Windows 7. If your Windows Vista SP1 deployment is already underway we recommend you continue with SP1 as planned. Then you can deploy SP2 using your systems management infrastructure. If you are in the early stages of deployment or still planning Windows Vista deployment our best advice is that you plan on testing and deploying Windows Vista SP2.

Windows Vista Application Compatibility Toolkit announcements

ACT 5.5 allows you to assess Windows 7 and IE8 compatibility, control information sent to the Compatibility Exchange, and label data collection packages by role. Want the inside scoop? Check out this Springboard Series blog interview with Jeremy Chapman, Windows Senior Product Manager.

Windows 8 is now avaialable to MDSN and TechNet subscribers. We are in the process of moving all the threads in the Windows 8 forums to a new "Pre-release" forum. This process is expected to happen today (8/15/2012) around 3pm Pacific time, so please bear with us as these are moved.

Windows 7 Installation, Setup, and Deployment announcements

October 31, 2014, is the end of license (EOL) date for Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7Home Premium, and Windows 7 Home Basic. After this date, system builders willno longer be able to order these products from authorized distributors. Windows7 Professional will continue to be available from authorized distributors untilits EOL date is announced.

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit makes it easy to assess your current IT infrastructure for a variety of technology migration projects. This Solution Accelerator provides a powerful inventory, assessment, and reporting tool to simplify the migration planning process.

Windows 7 Application Compatibility announcements

Are you making plans to deploy Windows 7 in your enterprise in the next 6 – 18 months? Are your plans being delayed or complicated by applications that will not work on Windows 7? Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) can be used to address the “compatibility gaps” of your enterprise and accelerate the move to Windows 7.

Windows Virtual PC and XP Mode announcements

Are you making plans to deploy Windows 7 in your enterprise in the next 6 – 18 months? Are your plans being delayed or complicated by applications that will not work on Windows 7? Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) can be used to address the “compatibility gaps” of your enterprise and accelerate the move to Windows 7.

Today we are proud to announce the Release to Manufacturing of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Service Pack 2 (SP2) represents the latest step in Microsoft’s commitment to continuous improvement. It includes all of the updates that have been delivered since SP1, as well as support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards. And since it comes with a single installer for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, SP2 will be easy for IT Pros to manage, deploy, and support. For an overview of the changes introduced in SP2, check out the notable changes document.

Business customers with Windows Vista will find that the transition to Windows 7 will be significantly more straightforward due to the high degree of compatibility between Windows Vista and Windows 7. If your Windows Vista SP1 deployment is already underway we recommend you continue with SP1 as planned. Then you can deploy SP2 using your systems management infrastructure. If you are in the early stages of deployment or still planning Windows Vista deployment our best advice is that you plan on testing and deploying Windows Vista SP2.

Windows Vista Application Compatibility Toolkit announcements

ACT 5.5 allows you to assess Windows 7 and IE8 compatibility, control information sent to the Compatibility Exchange, and label data collection packages by role. Want the inside scoop? Check out this Springboard Series blog interview with Jeremy Chapman, Windows Senior Product Manager.